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1000 results for “vowe”
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@vowe ich träume ja gerne, dass die kolonisierung des Mars eine internationale Verschwörung ist, um einen Teil der superreichen los zu werden und dabei von ihrem Geld zu befreien - #Golgafrincham
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Rockstar North Faces Union-Busting Allegations as 200+ Staff Condemn Firing of 31 Employees
One of Scotland’s largest games studios, Rockstar, is at the centre of a major industrial dispute, with the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) accusing the company of “union-busting” and initiating legal action following the abrupt dismissal of 31 employees.
The move has been met with widespread condemnation from staff. In a letter to senior management, more than 200 Rockstar North employees condemned the sackings and demanded the immediate reinstatement of their colleagues, all of whom in the UK were members of the IWGB.
The dispute stems from the abrupt dismissal of dozens of staff earlier this month. Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, initially cited “gross misconduct” before later alleging the fired employees had leaked sensitive company information.
Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, told IGN that the company was ‘proud of its culture,’ and the company stated the sackings were ‘in no way related to people’s right to join a union.’
This claim has been firmly rejected by staff and the IWGB. Union reps allege the workers were “fired illegally for unionising” via a private, legally-protected trade union Discord channel. The IWGB has filed a legal claim against Rockstar for what it calls a clear case of “victimisation and collective dismissal.”
“We are confident that what we’ve seen here is plain and simple union busting, and we will mount a full legal defence,” said Alex Marshall, IWGB president. “Employers like Rockstar would do well to understand that private spaces such as trade union Discord servers have protections, and that their company’s contractual clauses do not supersede UK law.”
The Rockstar layoffs have already sparked protests outside Rockstar’s Edinburgh HQ. According to reports from RockPaperShotgun, union activity had intensified following the developer’s return-to-office mandate last year, with staff alleging the firings occurred shortly after the union hit the legal minimum for formal recognition.
The story has also escalated to a political level. Speaking in the Commons, Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine confirmed that several of her constituents were directly affected and that she had written to Rockstar for more information, with the government promising to take the matter forward to ministers. In addition, Annie Wells MSP contacted the Scottish Games Network directly, to ask for the issue to be added to the agenda for the planned Games CPG.
The IWGB has pledged to “pursue all avenues” to see its members reinstated and has vowed to hold further demonstrations.
Protest and Support Fund
Despite the postponement of today’s scheduled Cross-Party Group meeting on the games ecosystem, the IWGB has confirmed that a planned demonstration will go ahead this evening.
Protesters and supporters are set to gather outside Rockstar North’s headquarters on Holyrood Road at 5:00 PM today (Tuesday, November 18th). The group will then march from the studio to the Scottish Parliament to highlight their case.
In parallel with the legal and direct action, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the workers affected by the Rockstar layoffs. The fund aims to provide immediate financial relief to those who have suddenly lost their income.
#edinburgh #games #grossMisconduct #layoffs #openLetter #rockstar #scotland #unionisation
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Rockstar North Faces Union-Busting Allegations as 200+ Staff Condemn Firing of 31 Employees
One of Scotland’s largest games studios, Rockstar, is at the centre of a major industrial dispute, with the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) accusing the company of “union-busting” and initiating legal action following the abrupt dismissal of 31 employees.
The move has been met with widespread condemnation from staff. In a letter to senior management, more than 200 Rockstar North employees condemned the sackings and demanded the immediate reinstatement of their colleagues, all of whom in the UK were members of the IWGB.
The dispute stems from the abrupt dismissal of dozens of staff earlier this month. Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, initially cited “gross misconduct” before later alleging the fired employees had leaked sensitive company information.
Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, told IGN that the company was ‘proud of its culture,’ and the company stated the sackings were ‘in no way related to people’s right to join a union.’
This claim has been firmly rejected by staff and the IWGB. Union reps allege the workers were “fired illegally for unionising” via a private, legally-protected trade union Discord channel. The IWGB has filed a legal claim against Rockstar for what it calls a clear case of “victimisation and collective dismissal.”
“We are confident that what we’ve seen here is plain and simple union busting, and we will mount a full legal defence,” said Alex Marshall, IWGB president. “Employers like Rockstar would do well to understand that private spaces such as trade union Discord servers have protections, and that their company’s contractual clauses do not supersede UK law.”
The Rockstar layoffs have already sparked protests outside Rockstar’s Edinburgh HQ. According to reports from RockPaperShotgun, union activity had intensified following the developer’s return-to-office mandate last year, with staff alleging the firings occurred shortly after the union hit the legal minimum for formal recognition.
The story has also escalated to a political level. Speaking in the Commons, Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine confirmed that several of her constituents were directly affected and that she had written to Rockstar for more information, with the government promising to take the matter forward to ministers. In addition, Annie Wells MSP contacted the Scottish Games Network directly, to ask for the issue to be added to the agenda for the planned Games CPG.
The IWGB has pledged to “pursue all avenues” to see its members reinstated and has vowed to hold further demonstrations.
Protest and Support Fund
Despite the postponement of today’s scheduled Cross-Party Group meeting on the games ecosystem, the IWGB has confirmed that a planned demonstration will go ahead this evening.
Protesters and supporters are set to gather outside Rockstar North’s headquarters on Holyrood Road at 5:00 PM today (Tuesday, November 18th). The group will then march from the studio to the Scottish Parliament to highlight their case.
In parallel with the legal and direct action, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the workers affected by the Rockstar layoffs. The fund aims to provide immediate financial relief to those who have suddenly lost their income.
#edinburgh #games #grossMisconduct #layoffs #openLetter #rockstar #scotland #unionisation
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Rockstar North Faces Union-Busting Allegations as 200+ Staff Condemn Firing of 31 Employees
One of Scotland’s largest games studios, Rockstar, is at the centre of a major industrial dispute, with the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) accusing the company of “union-busting” and initiating legal action following the abrupt dismissal of 31 employees.
The move has been met with widespread condemnation from staff. In a letter to senior management, more than 200 Rockstar North employees condemned the sackings and demanded the immediate reinstatement of their colleagues, all of whom in the UK were members of the IWGB.
The dispute stems from the abrupt dismissal of dozens of staff earlier this month. Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, initially cited “gross misconduct” before later alleging the fired employees had leaked sensitive company information.
Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, told IGN that the company was ‘proud of its culture,’ and the company stated the sackings were ‘in no way related to people’s right to join a union.’
This claim has been firmly rejected by staff and the IWGB. Union reps allege the workers were “fired illegally for unionising” via a private, legally-protected trade union Discord channel. The IWGB has filed a legal claim against Rockstar for what it calls a clear case of “victimisation and collective dismissal.”
“We are confident that what we’ve seen here is plain and simple union busting, and we will mount a full legal defence,” said Alex Marshall, IWGB president. “Employers like Rockstar would do well to understand that private spaces such as trade union Discord servers have protections, and that their company’s contractual clauses do not supersede UK law.”
The Rockstar layoffs have already sparked protests outside Rockstar’s Edinburgh HQ. According to reports from RockPaperShotgun, union activity had intensified following the developer’s return-to-office mandate last year, with staff alleging the firings occurred shortly after the union hit the legal minimum for formal recognition.
The story has also escalated to a political level. Speaking in the Commons, Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine confirmed that several of her constituents were directly affected and that she had written to Rockstar for more information, with the government promising to take the matter forward to ministers. In addition, Annie Wells MSP contacted the Scottish Games Network directly, to ask for the issue to be added to the agenda for the planned Games CPG.
The IWGB has pledged to “pursue all avenues” to see its members reinstated and has vowed to hold further demonstrations.
Protest and Support Fund
Despite the postponement of today’s scheduled Cross-Party Group meeting on the games ecosystem, the IWGB has confirmed that a planned demonstration will go ahead this evening.
Protesters and supporters are set to gather outside Rockstar North’s headquarters on Holyrood Road at 5:00 PM today (Tuesday, November 18th). The group will then march from the studio to the Scottish Parliament to highlight their case.
In parallel with the legal and direct action, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the workers affected by the Rockstar layoffs. The fund aims to provide immediate financial relief to those who have suddenly lost their income.
#edinburgh #games #grossMisconduct #layoffs #openLetter #rockstar #scotland #unionisation
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Rockstar North Faces Union-Busting Allegations as 200+ Staff Condemn Firing of 31 Employees
One of Scotland’s largest games studios, Rockstar, is at the centre of a major industrial dispute, with the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) accusing the company of “union-busting” and initiating legal action following the abrupt dismissal of 31 employees.
The move has been met with widespread condemnation from staff. In a letter to senior management, more than 200 Rockstar North employees condemned the sackings and demanded the immediate reinstatement of their colleagues, all of whom in the UK were members of the IWGB.
The dispute stems from the abrupt dismissal of dozens of staff earlier this month. Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, initially cited “gross misconduct” before later alleging the fired employees had leaked sensitive company information.
Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, told IGN that the company was ‘proud of its culture,’ and the company stated the sackings were ‘in no way related to people’s right to join a union.’
This claim has been firmly rejected by staff and the IWGB. Union reps allege the workers were “fired illegally for unionising” via a private, legally-protected trade union Discord channel. The IWGB has filed a legal claim against Rockstar for what it calls a clear case of “victimisation and collective dismissal.”
“We are confident that what we’ve seen here is plain and simple union busting, and we will mount a full legal defence,” said Alex Marshall, IWGB president. “Employers like Rockstar would do well to understand that private spaces such as trade union Discord servers have protections, and that their company’s contractual clauses do not supersede UK law.”
The Rockstar layoffs have already sparked protests outside Rockstar’s Edinburgh HQ. According to reports from RockPaperShotgun, union activity had intensified following the developer’s return-to-office mandate last year, with staff alleging the firings occurred shortly after the union hit the legal minimum for formal recognition.
The story has also escalated to a political level. Speaking in the Commons, Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine confirmed that several of her constituents were directly affected and that she had written to Rockstar for more information, with the government promising to take the matter forward to ministers. In addition, Annie Wells MSP contacted the Scottish Games Network directly, to ask for the issue to be added to the agenda for the planned Games CPG.
The IWGB has pledged to “pursue all avenues” to see its members reinstated and has vowed to hold further demonstrations.
Protest and Support Fund
Despite the postponement of today’s scheduled Cross-Party Group meeting on the games ecosystem, the IWGB has confirmed that a planned demonstration will go ahead this evening.
Protesters and supporters are set to gather outside Rockstar North’s headquarters on Holyrood Road at 5:00 PM today (Tuesday, November 18th). The group will then march from the studio to the Scottish Parliament to highlight their case.
In parallel with the legal and direct action, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the workers affected by the Rockstar layoffs. The fund aims to provide immediate financial relief to those who have suddenly lost their income.
#edinburgh #games #grossMisconduct #layoffs #openLetter #rockstar #scotland #unionisation
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Rockstar North Faces Union-Busting Allegations as 200+ Staff Condemn Firing of 31 Employees
One of Scotland’s largest games studios, Rockstar, is at the centre of a major industrial dispute, with the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) accusing the company of “union-busting” and initiating legal action following the abrupt dismissal of 31 employees.
The move has been met with widespread condemnation from staff. In a letter to senior management, more than 200 Rockstar North employees condemned the sackings and demanded the immediate reinstatement of their colleagues, all of whom in the UK were members of the IWGB.
The dispute stems from the abrupt dismissal of dozens of staff earlier this month. Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, initially cited “gross misconduct” before later alleging the fired employees had leaked sensitive company information.
Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, told IGN that the company was ‘proud of its culture,’ and the company stated the sackings were ‘in no way related to people’s right to join a union.’
This claim has been firmly rejected by staff and the IWGB. Union reps allege the workers were “fired illegally for unionising” via a private, legally-protected trade union Discord channel. The IWGB has filed a legal claim against Rockstar for what it calls a clear case of “victimisation and collective dismissal.”
“We are confident that what we’ve seen here is plain and simple union busting, and we will mount a full legal defence,” said Alex Marshall, IWGB president. “Employers like Rockstar would do well to understand that private spaces such as trade union Discord servers have protections, and that their company’s contractual clauses do not supersede UK law.”
The Rockstar layoffs have already sparked protests outside Rockstar’s Edinburgh HQ. According to reports from RockPaperShotgun, union activity had intensified following the developer’s return-to-office mandate last year, with staff alleging the firings occurred shortly after the union hit the legal minimum for formal recognition.
The story has also escalated to a political level. Speaking in the Commons, Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine confirmed that several of her constituents were directly affected and that she had written to Rockstar for more information, with the government promising to take the matter forward to ministers. In addition, Annie Wells MSP contacted the Scottish Games Network directly, to ask for the issue to be added to the agenda for the planned Games CPG.
The IWGB has pledged to “pursue all avenues” to see its members reinstated and has vowed to hold further demonstrations.
Protest and Support Fund
Despite the postponement of today’s scheduled Cross-Party Group meeting on the games ecosystem, the IWGB has confirmed that a planned demonstration will go ahead this evening.
Protesters and supporters are set to gather outside Rockstar North’s headquarters on Holyrood Road at 5:00 PM today (Tuesday, November 18th). The group will then march from the studio to the Scottish Parliament to highlight their case.
In parallel with the legal and direct action, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the workers affected by the Rockstar layoffs. The fund aims to provide immediate financial relief to those who have suddenly lost their income.
#edinburgh #games #grossMisconduct #layoffs #openLetter #rockstar #scotland #unionisation
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At new party’s first rally, Bennett vows to ‘unite the nation’ and enact constitution
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett vowed at his new Together alliance’s inaugural election rally on Tuesday that if…
#Israel #News #2026Israelielections #Likud #NaftaliBennett #telaviv #Together–LedbyNaftaliBennett #yairlapid
https://www.europesays.com/2986476/ -
Get Swarakshar on Apple App Store and Start Learning Alphabets with Pronunciations.
Learn: https://mudrakshar.com/learn
#Learn #Language #Devanagari #Indic #Script #Linguistic #Read #Identify #Pronounce #Alphabet #Vowels #Consonants #Barakhadi #Letters #Chart #Education #School #Kids #Apple #iPad #iPhone #Mac #AppStore #PlayStore #Android
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After an offseason in which it seemed like Nolan Arenado would be traded, the eight-time All-Star vowed to improve when he reported to spring training with his St. Louis Cardinals teammates on Sunday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/02/17/baseball/mlb/nolan-arenado-cardinals-camp/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #baseball #mlb #nolanarenado #stlouiscardinals
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Okay, my new tune has 3 verses, a bridge, and space for a lead. It has a tempo change. I think the rhythm guitar will be on the 2 and 4, which probably will be all upstrokes until my arm falls off. And why doesn't rhythm have another vowel? Thm. 🤔
If you know of links to where I can get public domain or creative commons videos of assembly lines or other industrial scenes, cartoon or otherwise, let me know! The last time I went looking, it took some time to track them down. YouTube has some, and I use the creative commons searches. I'd prefer cartoons, but beggars, choosers, realities, and such say I'll take what I can get. Plus, there are cartoon filters.
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#Trump officials hire ‘#deportation judges’ with less training, experience & hella-sketchy track records
Trump is remaking #courts to clear a backlog of #asylum cases. Hires include an attorney for #Jan6 rioters, a lawyer who championed #Minneapolis #ICE raids, a divorce lawyer who has vowed to “fight exclusively for the rights of men,” & a judge who denied a #gay Serbian man #humanitarian protection because he didn’t look “overtly gay.”
#law #immigration #DOJ #rigged
https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/04/27/justice-department-immigration-judges-deportation/ -
The #puppeteer who helped bring the #Muppets to life was also a #bereaved #queer #man searching for #love.
A friend of the late #Muppeteer #RichardHunt said he vowed to live life to the fullest after losing his #boyfriend.
#Women #Transgender #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #UK #Entertainment #TV #RoleModels #Representation #Culture
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The #puppeteer who helped bring the #Muppets to life was also a #bereaved #queer #man searching for #love.
A friend of the late #Muppeteer #RichardHunt said he vowed to live life to the fullest after losing his #boyfriend.
#Women #Transgender #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #UK #Entertainment #TV #RoleModels #Representation #Culture
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The #puppeteer who helped bring the #Muppets to life was also a #bereaved #queer #man searching for #love.
A friend of the late #Muppeteer #RichardHunt said he vowed to live life to the fullest after losing his #boyfriend.
#Women #Transgender #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #UK #Entertainment #TV #RoleModels #Representation #Culture
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The #puppeteer who helped bring the #Muppets to life was also a #bereaved #queer #man searching for #love.
A friend of the late #Muppeteer #RichardHunt said he vowed to live life to the fullest after losing his #boyfriend.
#Women #Transgender #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #UK #Entertainment #TV #RoleModels #Representation #Culture
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The #puppeteer who helped bring the #Muppets to life was also a #bereaved #queer #man searching for #love.
A friend of the late #Muppeteer #RichardHunt said he vowed to live life to the fullest after losing his #boyfriend.
#Women #Transgender #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #UK #Entertainment #TV #RoleModels #Representation #Culture
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#Trump handpicked acting #USAttorney for the Eastern District of Virginia #LindseyHalligan, a fmr Trump personal attorney with no prosecutorial experience, presented the case to a #GrandJury on her own in the first go-round — & that case was declared void on Nov. 24 when a judge found Halligan's appointment was #unlawful.
The #DOJ initially vowed to #appeal the ruling by US District Judge Cameron Currie, but ultimately decided to seek a new, “untainted” #indictment against #LetitiaJames…
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SWANSEA: Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi calls on Keir Starmer to step aside — as Swansea East’s Carolyn Harris backs him to stay
Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi has become one of dozens of Labour MPs calling on Keir Starmer to step down as Prime Minister — warning that the party now faces “the real possibility of a Reform administration” if it does not change course.
In a statement posted to social media, Antoniazzi acknowledged Starmer’s integrity and his record on international issues, including keeping Britain out of the conflict between the United States and Iran. But she said the election results had made clear he had lost the confidence of the country.
“The pace of change is not being felt quickly enough by the people of Gower,” she said. “Recent election results make clear that the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the country. Too much of our good work has been lost because we have not explained our policies clearly or brought people with us. When people do not understand what we are doing or why, they lose trust, and that trust is hard to rebuild.”
She warned that Reform’s rise posed a genuine threat that the current leadership could not meet. “We now face the real possibility of a Reform administration, a party that promotes Trump-style populism and exploits discontented people but is really about benefiting its wealthy backers. We need a Labour Party and a Government that are strong enough to stand up to that threat with delivery. I do not believe that Keir can lead that fight.”
She concluded: “For the sake of my constituents, for the Labour movement, and for the country, it is time for new leadership.”
The intervention puts Antoniazzi at direct odds with Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris, who posted a public statement backing the Prime Minister to continue in the role. Harris argued that a leadership contest would be “a distraction at a time when the country is facing serious challenges at home and abroad” and pointed to the government’s record on NHS waiting lists, workers’ rights and housing.
“This Government has already delivered real progress: NHS waiting lists have fallen for eight months in a row, workers’ rights have been strengthened, renters have been given greater security,” Harris said. “Keir Starmer should be given the opportunity to deliver the change we promised and get on with the job.”
The two local MPs find themselves on different sides of a rebellion that had grown to 85 Labour MPs by Tuesday morning, rising steadily since the party’s dismal performance in elections across the UK last week.
Labour suffered heavily across the board — losing control of more than 30 councils in England and around 1,500 councillors, while in Wales it was reduced to just nine Senedd seats, with First Minister Eluned Morgan losing her own seat. The scale of the collapse in Wales was particularly damaging for Starmer, with pollster Sir John Curtice having warned before the election that losing Wales would pose a greater threat to his leadership than any other result.
Starmer addressed the Parliamentary Labour Party on Tuesday in a speech that was greeted with a fresh wave of demands to step aside. He vowed not to “walk away” from Downing Street, saying: “This is nothing less than a battle for the soul of our nation.”
His speech was dismissed as “utterly inadequate” by one former minister, while ministerial aides to three cabinet ministers — including aides to the health secretary, home secretary and environment secretary — resigned their roles in protest.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Labour-backing union Unite, said Starmer’s speech had not “cut the mustard”, adding: “There isn’t a cat in hell’s chance that Keir Starmer’s going to lead us into the next election. It would be the death knell if that happened.”
Antoniazzi, who has represented Gower since 2017 and is a former Wales women’s rugby international, has a history of independent thinking within the party, having previously resigned as a Labour PPS in protest at the Brexit trade deal vote. She was born and raised in Llanelli and has been a vocal constituency voice throughout her time in Westminster.
Harris, who has served as MP for Swansea East since 2015, is one of the most prominent Welsh Labour voices in Westminster, having served as a minister in the Welsh Office and as a shadow minister on gambling reform.
Starmer has so far refused to announce a departure timeline, insisting he will not walk away. Whether that position is sustainable as the parliamentary rebellion continues to grow will become clearer in the days ahead.
More on Welsh Labour
Mike Hedges warns Wales could face another election next year as Labour counts the cost of historic defeat
The reckoning begins for Welsh Labour after its worst ever Senedd result.Ken Skates appointed interim Welsh Labour leader after historic Senedd defeat
The party’s immediate response to losing power in the Senedd for the first time.Mike Hedges should quit Senedd seat for Rob Stewart, senior Welsh Labour figure says in scathing attack on ‘functionally broken’ party
The internal divisions that erupted in the immediate aftermath of the election.Plaid Cymru largest party, Reform UK historic breakthrough, Welsh Labour reduced to nine seats — the new political map of Wales
#CarolynHarrisMP #featured #KeirStarmer #PrimeMinister #ToniaAntoniazziMP #UKGovernment
The full story of election night and what it means for Wales. -
Tyme’s and Killjoy’s Top Ten(ish) of 2025 By Steel DruhmTyme
I’ve spent much of my 2025 thinking about privilege. Not in the sense that the media has conditioned me, or us, to think about it, but in a way that I’ve employed to shift some of the mundane aspects of life onto their respective heads. For instance, it’s a privilege to look in my closet and have to decide what to wear each day. It’s a privilege to look in my kitchen pantry to figure out what I’ll eat for breakfast or, better yet, which coffee cup I’ll drink from. I could go on, but there’s a word limit to these intros. Suffice to say, I really tried to dwell on my blessings rather than my challenges this year.
And despite the blessings of my professional life, which bestowed upon me the incredible privilege of being really fucking busy for the last “whatever” number of months, I’ve been equally, yet much less facetiously, blessed in my personal endeavors as well. For, in addition to having a bountiful roof over my head, a vehicle to get me back and forth to my extremely privileged job, a dog I can honestly say I will have NO idea how to say goodbye to if I don’t go first, and a wife that, despite the ups and downs of a normal, healthy marriage, continues to love me, I have the distinct privilege of contributing my trve opinions on all things musically heavy, or adjacently heavy, here on the best heavy metal blog in the world! And now comes the part where I give thanks.
Thank you, first and foremost, to everyone who reads this blog every day. Without you, none of this would be worth doing. At least for me, who read, lurked, and commented for years before working up the courage to actually apply for this subservient existence. Thank you to this newest crop of freshly demoted n00bs and to my list mate Killjoy and the rest of the Freezer Freaks Crew—Alekhines Gun, Owlswald, and Clarkkent1—who, through perseverance and a buttload of patience, managed to survive nearly two years on ice to land in the crosshairs of the commentariat’s adverse, and always wrong, opinions.2,3 Thanks as well, to ALL the senior staff who are way nicer than they’d have you believe,4 except Grier, who’s even nicer than everyone else. And finally, the editors, the man himself, Dr. AMG, for seeing enough in me to bring me over, and Steel, who runs the tightest, most compassionate ship I’ve ever had the privilege of sailing on. Thanks, boss!
Now! To the LIST!!!
#ish. Antinoë // The Fold – When I snagged this late-year gem back in November, I had no idea it would have me shuffling my list. With a little more time, I’m sure it would have moved up the ladder, but as it stands, Antinoë grabbed my (ish) spot easily. With little to no instrumentation beyond her piano, Teresa Marraco crafted something so beautiful in its basic-ness that I was entranced. Her delicate melodies evoke vibes that are as much Darkher or Tori Amos5 as they are Emperor or Dimmu Borgir, and I am definitely here for it.
#10. King Witch // III – In a year when Messa released a new album as well, the fact that King Witch is sitting on my year-end proper list and not Sara Bianchin and company speaks volumes about the job Laura Donnelly, Jamie Gilchrist, and Rory Lee did on III. Whether crooning over wispy acoustics or belting out doomily powerful tones over rock-heavy riffs, Donnelly is the star of the show, and her performance had me swooning. From the minute I first heard “Suffer in Life” with its swing-heavy riffs and killer vocals, I was happy to take King Witch’s III for a spin over and over, and it’s been part of my regular rotation since summer.
#9. Imperishable // Revelation in Purity – As the year wore on, I became increasingly sure that I may have underrated Imperishable’s Revelation in Purity. In fact, I found myself returning to it several times, forgoing subsequent spins of albums I’d rated higher. With their Nile and Olkoth pedigree, Imperishable’s expert blend of blackened death metal hit an overtly swirling sweet spot for me. The songwriting on Revelation in Purity, while not groundbreaking, is expertly executed, rendering its quality undeniable. And when you toss in those very Alice in Chains-like grunge passages, akin to a cherry on top, it was easy for me to put Revelation in Purity on my year-end list.
#8. Mutagenic Host // The Diseased Machine – Mutagenic Host’s The Diseased Machine was the first album I successfully coveted and secured from the sump pit alllll the way back in January of this year. As a freshly demoted staff member at the time, I was overly excited at the opportunity to take it on, and the album surely didn’t disappoint. Mutagenic Host does death metal the way I like it: low-brow, Neanderthalic, and brutally chuggy. It’s a tenuous thing to run across something you deem so good so early in the year, but The Diseased Machine has definitely stood the test of Tyme and proved worth every point of the quarter-pounder I placed on it.
#7. Igorrr // Amen – My fancy with Igorrr has always been somewhat of a passing one. I was nowhere near the listener who would’ve been part of the band’s early target audience (Mousissure, Nostril). Still, I found more common ground with 2017’s Savage Sinusoid and even more with 2020’s Spirituality and Distortion. But when those first electronic beats of Amen’s opening track, “Daemoni,” poured out of my speakers for the first time, I was completely plugged in to Igorrr’s chaotically beautiful brand of metal madness. Amen’s surprisingly accessible break-cored, trip-hopped blackened death ‘baroque’ it’s big boot off in my ass, and I’ve been relishing and wallowing in its avant-garde pain ever since.
#6. Cave Sermon // Fragile Wings – Cave Sermon’s Divine Laughter was something I’d definitely missed out on in 2024. When Thus Spoke covered Cave Sermon’s rapid follow-up, Fragile Wings, in April, however, I vowed I wouldn’t sleep on Charlie Park’s solo black metal project this time around. And I’m certainly glad I didn’t. Words like ‘wistful,’ ‘exuberant,’ and ‘playful’ were tossed about in Thus’s excellent write-up and really homed in on what made listening to Fragile Wings such a connective experience for me. Imbued as Fragile Wings is with upbeat sadness, Cave Sermon proved that I can get on board with post metal, and to be honest, any metal that sounds this good is worth the time spent. And seriously, what is that cover?!6
#5. Crippling Alcoholism // Camgirl – Inspired by a subreddit I’m glad I never stumbled across, Crippling Alcoholism’s provocative moniker steels those who’d approach the band’s output with a certain sense of visceral anticipation before hearing even one note. My love for the disturbingly creepy With Love from a Padded Room led me to the pink, candy-wrapped murderpop of Camgirl with nary a moment’s hesitation. I gladly signed on to plumb the depths of weirdness I knew would exist, but could not have anticipated the absolute fathomless darkness lurking within Camgirl’s saccharine sweetness, especially as revealed with subsequent spins. A disturbing diatribe on hopelessness, disappointment, loneliness, and sex in the digital age, Camgirl wraps its message in a deceivingly poppy form of electronica that, when all is said and done, will have you wondering what the fuck just happened. I love it.
#4. Dax Riggs // 7 Songs for Spiders – Dax Riggs may be one of the more underrated artists of the last thirty years, and while I know I’m not the only one who rejoiced in the recent resurgence and subsequent touring schedule of one of the ’90s best sludge acts, Acid Bath, I also realized a new album will probably never materialize, at least not under that moniker. Instead, the universe graced us with 7 Songs for Spiders, Dax’s first solo effort in nearly 15 years. Filled with simplistically haunting melodies sung in Riggs’s inimitable style, 7 Songs for Spiders strummed every one of my fuzzed-out, laid-back heart strings and has remained consistently satisfying since its January release.
#3. Maud the Moth // The Distaff – I stumbled across Maud the Moth in 2023 while exploring the ever-expanding milieu of performers associated with my favorite artist Darkher. Searching Amaya López-Carromoero’s back catalog, I dove into 2015’s The Inner Wastelands and 2020’s Orphnē, emerging a fan of Maud the Moth’s quirky neo-classical piano-led operatics. When The Distaff popped up in the sump, I was glad to see Dolphin Whisperer snag it, knowing his words would do the album eloquent justice. Soaring in scope and execution, Maud the Moth proffers her most complex yet beautiful release to date. Filled with classically executed vocal acrobatics and massive amounts of intricate instrumentation, The Distaff is less a thing just to be listened to, as it is a thing to be wholly experienced. As immersive a piece of music as I’ve heard all year.
#2. Structure // Heritage – M-A-S-S-I-V-E is the word that best describes Structure’s Heritage, which is to say it’s big, sad, and “heavy as fook!”7 Every time I threw this beast on, and the album opener began crawling forth, it conjured the same cinematic image in my mind’s eye. A lone, bloodied warrior, fists clenched, head bowed, wind-swept and rain-soaked hair hanging down, muscles taut and twitching in furious sadness, standing in a field full of his fallen brethren as a lightning-laced deluge washed the blood of dead soldiers into the hungry ground. Then, slowly, he casts his gaze skyward, anguished tears streaming, contemplating his sole survivor existence, and screaming at the thunder-filled heavens “Will I deserve to live on?” Every time, that’s what I see when I listen to “Will I Deserve It,” and every time I break out in goose bumps with a lumpy throat and welling eyes. Heritage came as close to being my number one as to make the two offerings at the top of my 2025 list nearly interchangeable.
#1. Dormant Ordeal // Tooth and Nail – I know I underrated Dormant Ordeal’s fourth album, Tooth and Nail, for, despite giving it the 4.0 treatment, the sheer excellence of this record has only improved over time. April was THE month for me this year, yielding my two favorite metal releases and leaving Poland’s metal map deeply staked with a big, black-and-gold Dormant Ordeal flag. In true, warrior-like fashion, Maciej Nieścioruk and Maciej Proficz soldiered on without sole founding member Radek Kowal, which opened the door for Chase Westmoreland to waltz in and give my favorite drum performance of the year. From the brutally effective “Halo of Bones” to the excellent, Dylan Thomas-inspired “Against the Dying of the Light,” there wasn’t an album I returned to more this year than Tooth and Nail, its visceral riffs and razor-sharp edges leaving long-lasting scars. But in a good way, you know? It’s with profound pleasure that I dutifully crown Dormant Ordeal’s Tooth and Nail my album of the year.
Honorable Mentions
- Cryptopsy // An Insatiable Violence – This thing is an ass kicker. Full of satisfying death metal brutality and, like it or not, my favorite since the classic None So Vile.
- Pissgrave // Malignant Worthlessness – Thirty-one minutes of absolutely insane death metal that will melt your ears into maggot-infested pus. Soooooo good.
- Messa // The Spin – It’s Messa, fool! ‘Nuff said. There was no way I was getting out of 2025’s Listurnalia without mentioning the new album from one of my favorite doom bands.
- Depravity // Bestial Possession – This thing blew my socks off and, had I gotten more time to spend with it, might have threatened to rattle the cage of my list order for sure. Death metal done right.
- Diabolizer // Murderous Revelations – I had been in a death metal drought when I picked up Murderous Revelations; its traditional, no-frills approach hitting me hard. This one came so close to listing for me, I could smell its charred, crispy, burnt ends.
- Lipoma // No Cure for the Sick – Gurgly gore vocals over a circus parade of melodic death metal riffs. What’s not to like? I had tons of fun with this thing.
- Puteraeon // Mountains of Madness – Puteraeon was a band that had never been on my radar. Mountains of Madness’s mature aesthetic, great storyline, and engagingly crafted melodicism took me entirely by surprise.
Song o’ the Year:
‘Twas a mother-fookin’ toss up between my top 2 albums. I flipped a coin, so close was the race. (Heads) Structure // (Tails) Dormant Ordeal.
WINNER(?):
Structure – “Will I Deserve It” – Satisfyingly goose-bumpy!8
Killjoy
The fact that I’m writing this list feels nothing short of surreal. When I became a regular reader of this blog in 2019, I had a strong interest in metal but a knowledge of only a handful of its subgenres. I did not expect to make it this far when I auditioned, but somehow I became a member of the Freezer Crew. Although we were initially forced to huddle together for warmth to survive the n00b trials, as time went on, I developed a deep respect for all of my Crewmates. Their camaraderie and encouragement were great motivation for me to keep writing this year, even when it was tough. We were even allowed to organize a special edition Rodeö! I’m so proud to associate with them.
On a more somber note, I was sad to see many of the longtime writers who helped me fall in love with this site slip into the abyss we sometimes call “non-suspicious sabbatical.” While I will miss reading their eloquent words, their legacy and contributions will always influence and inspire me.
And now for some thank yous. I’m grateful to AMG Himself for creating the site and allowing me to run rampant with my questionable opinions. A gorilla-sized thanks to Steel Druhm for keeping day-to-day operations running and being the kindest, cruelest taskmaster I could hope for. Thank you to my list mate, Tyme, for making my musical tastes seem better by association. Finally, I’d like to publicly thank my wife for being so supportive of my new hobby.
I’m excited for what awaits in 2026 (which hopefully includes more power metal than I managed to review in 2025)!
#ish. Kauan // Wayhome – Kauan has demonstrated time and again that their ability to compose evocative soundscapes is unmatched in the post-rock sphere. Wayhome draws a little bit from different eras in Kauan’s fruitful career to form a richer, warmer experience. Each individual instrument—acoustic and electric guitars, strings, voice—is a crucial brush stroke in a breathtaking panorama. This is some of the most enchanting music I’ve ever heard.
#10. Anfauglir // Akallabêth – When I first grabbed Akallabêth for review, I was blissfully unaware of the 72-minute runtime (but probably should have had an inkling). After spending some time with it, I became blissfully aware of how awesome it is. Based on the chapter of Tolkien’s The Silmarillion chronicling the 3,000-year rise and fall of the island of Númenor, Akallabêth is as epic in sound as it is in scope. Mrs. Killjoy was more interested in the concept than the music, but it still made for some fun conversations. While the long runtime makes it a bit harder to revisit than the other entries on this list, this is my idea of a great symphonic black metal album.
#9. In Mourning // The Immortal – Progressive death metal comes in all shapes and sizes, and I tend to be drawn to the more emotive flavors. When Disillusion released Ayam a few years ago, it took me a while to understand the hype. In a similar manner, it took longer than it probably should have for me to appreciate The Immortal. I don’t know why this was, but in both cases I’m glad I stuck with them. In Mourning’s signature combination of earnest melodies and energetic riffs is now embedded in my mind and heart.
#8. Asira // As Ink in Water – Due to journalistic circumstances that I won’t discuss with fans, I was fortunate enough to obtain this promo earlier than I normally would have. Good thing, too, because As Ink in Water turned out to be a grower for me. The vocals proved much less popular in the comments than I anticipated, but they are the biggest reason why this record resonates with me. The buttery-smooth guitar and bass lines are another big factor. The fact that As Ink in Water was released during the tail end of 2025 might mean it appears on fewer top ten lists, but it should not be missed.
#7. Judicator // Concord – I don’t have a long history with Judicator. I am part of the seemingly small minority that prefers the post-Cordisco era, although I admit that I need to spend more time with their earlier work. Concord sees Judicator returning to their heavy/power metal roots after an experimental foray into progressive territory (which I also loved!). Other than brief saxophone and fiddle segments, there aren’t any fancy frills this time, only lots of guitar hooks and infectious choruses. And, in this case, that’s more than enough to make me happy.
#6. Valhalore // Beyond the Stars – I don’t normally see the point in quibbling about scores, however, I feel that Beyond the Stars was soundly underrated. It’s a distillation of everything I love about peak Eluveitie and Æther Realm. The folk instrumentation blends perfectly with the fast-paced melodic death metal elements. The interludes cleverly foreshadow and ease the listener into the subsequent songs. I also love the tender vocal performance by Anna Murphy towards the end. Beyond the Stars is a fun and emotional journey from start to finish.
#5. Gloombound // Dreaming Delusion – I’m always down to sample funeral doom, but it takes a very special kind to keep me coming back. Gloombound expertly walks the difficult balance between atmospheric and stimulating music. The overall sound is that of a soul trying to escape imprisonment, whether physical, emotional, or mental. Dreaming Delusion makes me feel different emotions every time I listen, but chief among them is a crushing awe.
#4. Phantom Spell // Heather & Hearth – I love uplifting, feel-good metal (this should not come as a surprise by now). So, it was almost inevitable that I would love the nostalgic keyboards and guitar solos of Heather & Hearth. But, for some reason, it took AMG’s landmark blog post about the evils of Spotify for me to really pay attention to Phantom Spell. I’m grateful I did, because I might have missed out on one of the most addictive pieces of progressive rock I’ve ever heard.
#3. Halocraft // The Sky Will Remember – Halocraft quickly became one of my favorite bands since I discovered them early this year. Their purposeful yet dreamy brand of post-rock is practically custom-made for me. This year, they expanded their creative limits by writing two very different records. I’m partial to The Sky Will Remember, but don’t miss out on its companion, To Leave a Single Wolf Alive, for a gloomier vibe. Their prior albums are really good too, and I listen to them just as often.
#2. An Abstract Illusion // The Sleeping City – “If not 4.5, then why 4.5 shaped?”, one of you rabble-rousers quipped about my review of The Sleeping City. The truth is, the more time I spend with it, the more I wonder if maybe I did underrate it. I’ve somehow grown to love The Sleeping City even more in the months since I awarded it a 4.0. Sure, the production leaves much to be desired, but there aren’t any other notable qualities that I would consider faults. It won’t appeal to the exact same audience as the legendary Woe, but I have plenty of room in my heart for both (and likely whatever An Abstract Illusion devises next). It was such an honor to write about this wondrous record.
#1. Black Narcissus // There Lingers One Who’s Long Forgotten – When I plucked There Lingers One Who’s Long Forgotten from the promo pit, I was a little skeptical about music made with only bass and drums. It turns out, though, that this minimalist approach—along with excellent songwriting, of course—was the key to unlocking a new realm of possibility within the post-rock genre. The bass blooms unfettered in this distraction-free biome, and the drum tone is crisp and refreshing. The two instruments intertwine to engender a spirit of companionship and exploration. There Lingers One Who’s Long Forgotten will always have a special place in my heart, and I am grateful to Black Narcissus for sharing this gift.
Honorable Mentions:
- Crimson Shadows // Whispers of War – As a parent of two children under age five, I am not often in the mood to be overstimulated by the media I consume. However, Whispers of War is so fun that I have to make an exception. The addition of melodic death metal feels like such a natural progression to the signature DragonForce style that conquered my naive teenage heart circa Guitar Hero III.
- Wyatt E. // Zamāru Ultu Qereb Ziqquratu Part 1 – My very first score safety violation! After spending more time with it, I can understand how some might see this as incomplete or underdeveloped, though I’m willing to give Wyatt E. the benefit of the doubt while I wait for Part 2.
- Bergfried // Romantik III – I’m a sucker for a good rock opera. Romantik III is undeniably rough around the edges, but not in a way that rubs off any of its charm. To the contrary, in my opinion.
- Moron Police // Pachinko – Talk about a late-year list disruptor! Pachinko is a wild and addictive whirlwind of prog/pop rock that I know for a fact I’ll still be spinning next year.
- Braia // Vertentes de lá e cá – Vibrant folk rock with a huge array of instruments and musical influences. This didn’t get nearly as much attention as it deserves.
- Aganoor // Doomerism – Okay, maaaaybe I overrated this by half a point. But it’s still really solid psychedelic stoner doom with catchy riffs and lush instrumental breaks.
- Ancient Bards // Artifex – Am I only including this one for sentimental reasons? Probably. But it does contain some of my favorite songs of the year (“My Prima Nox,” “Soulbound Symphony,” “My Blood and Blade”) that I still revisit regularly.
Song o’ the Year:
Judicator – “Concord”
#2025 #Aganoor #AnAbstractIllusion #AncientBards #Anfauglir #Antino #Antinoë #Asira #Bergfried #BlackNarcissus #BlogPosts #Braia #CaveSermon #CrimsonShadows #CripplingAlcoholism #Cryptopsy #DaxRiggs #Depravity #Diabolizer #DormantOrdeal #Gloombound #Halocraft #Igorrr #Imperishable #InMourning #Judicator #Kauan #KingWitch #Lipoma #Lists #Listurnalia #MaudTheMoth #Messa #MoronPolice #MutagenicHost #PhantomSpell #Pissgrave #Puteraeon #Structure #TymeSAndKilljoySTop10IshOf2025 #Valhalore #WyattE -
"Reform has finally set out its vision for Wales – when it comes to culture and the Welsh language, their rhetoric and proposals tell a troubling story.
Just this week we saw a clip of Nigel Farage surface branding our language ‘foreign’ – mere weeks after he vowed his party would scrap Welsh language targets for a million Welsh speakers by 2050 if they came to power following the Senedd election, with further plans to abolish the Welsh Language Commissioner."
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US sounds alarm on China’s AI distillation as DeepSeek V4 debuts Washington has vowed to curb what it sees as the unauthorized extraction of intellectual property from United States-developed art...
#US-China #Anthropic #Artificial #Intelligence #Ascend #950PR #Block #4 #China #Chips #wars
Origin | Interest | Match -
US sounds alarm on China’s AI distillation as DeepSeek V4 debuts Washington has vowed to curb what it sees as the unauthorized extraction of intellectual property from United States-developed art...
#US-China #Anthropic #Artificial #Intelligence #Ascend #950PR #Block #3 #China #Chips #wars
Origin | Interest | Match -
US sounds alarm on China’s AI distillation as DeepSeek V4 debuts Washington has vowed to curb what it sees as the unauthorized extraction of intellectual property from United States-developed art...
#US-China #Anthropic #Artificial #Intelligence #Ascend #950PR #Block #2 #China #Chips #wars
Origin | Interest | Match -
US sounds alarm on China’s AI distillation as DeepSeek V4 debuts Washington has vowed to curb what it sees as the unauthorized extraction of intellectual property from United States-developed art...
#US-China #Anthropic #Artificial #Intelligence #Ascend #950PR #Block #2 #China #Chips #wars
Origin | Interest | Match -
US sounds alarm on China’s AI distillation as DeepSeek V4 debuts Washington has vowed to curb what it sees as the unauthorized extraction of intellectual property from United States-developed art...
#US-China #Anthropic #Artificial #Intelligence #Ascend #950PR #Block #1 #China #Chips #wars
Origin | Interest | Match -
Wordle Today #1773 Hints and Answer for April 27, 2026: A Spooky Triple-Vowel Trap - #Baskingamer
the kind of puzzle that makes you stare at the board...
readmore https://shorturl.at/rBnpm#Wordle #Wordle1773 #WordleAnswer #WordleHints
#Game #gaming #gaming_news #GamingCommunity #GamingGuide -
Wordle Today #1770 Hints and Answer for April 24, 2026: A Tricky Low-Vowel Trap - #Baskingamer
Today’s Wordle is one of those puzzles that looks...
readmore https://shorturl.at/wIzF7#Wordle #Wordle1770 #WordleAnswer #WordleHints
#Game #gaming #gaming_news #GamingCommunity #GamingGuide -
Wordle #1765 Hints and Answer for April 19, 2026: Today’s One-Vowel Puzzle Is Trickier Than It Looks - #Baskingamer
Today’s looks simple at first glance...
readmore https://shorturl.at/0s9v9#Wordle #Wordle1765 #WordleAnswer #WordleHints
#Game #gaming #gaming_news #GamingCommunity #GamingGuide -
CW: Wordle
Another with just one vowel, with a drab outcome. 😉
Wordle 1,789 4/6
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟨⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 -
The foreign ministers of the #Nordic #Baltic Eight expressed support for full #EU and #NATO membership for #Ukraine. The #NB8 ministers stressed that #Russia remained the biggest threat to Euro-Atlantic #security and vowed not to revise relations with #Belarus.
https://viabaltica.fi/baltic-nordic-baltic-ministers-back-ukraines-eu-nato-entry/